BLT Trip report

[Jimtheboy]

Not sure how much I'll post here, but we checked in to Bay Lake Tower this morning. We arrived around 7:30am, from POP last night. To our surprise, our room was ready!!!

We were told our room was on the 6th floor (so glad), and then I got really excited. We're NOT facing inside, our room is on the outside, far end of the resort. We got to the room (a studio) and it is gorgeous!!!!

Here's the best part...our 'lake view' room is actually a partial Magic Kingdom view room. From our balcony, we can see part of the lake, and if we look slightly left, we can see the park. We're in 7608. Its amazing!

Only a few negatives, room-wise. You can tell there was a rush to finish. Thjere is paint on some of the artwork, and already, the corners of the nightstands are chipping off. shame. Otherwise, it is really great.

Not as small as I thought it would be. The bathroom door seems to stay shut, and the kitchenette/bathroom vanity takes a little getting used to, but who doesn't love the smell of coffee and toothpaste together?

Ok, time to plan for the night.
-jim

 

[colleen costello]

So glad you got a room you are happy with! Enjoy the beautiful resort. This week I was able to book a 1-bedroom LV for spring break in March and I am hoping for a view like yours... Nothing like seeing fireworks from your own room! Have a great time.

 

[Jimtheboy]

Ok, back at the room. We went to Magic Kingdom. I highly recomend Fantasyland during spectro. We hit a a few rides there after eating at Pecos Bills. They have kiosks for online ordering. A little glitchy, but still faster than ordering from the cashier.

We made it back to the hotel in time to get up to the Top of the WOrld Lounge. I had asked the cast members at the desk, and they said its NOT filling up. No reservation needed, we went right up. Got up in time to watch the fireworks. Its a great view, and it was not crowded at all.

So far, so good.

TOmorrow....Animal Kingdom.

 

[TaraPA]

Thanks for the live update. Well be there in less than 3 months...or whatever my ticker currently says! Keep the updates coming!

 

[Disneymama5816]

Thanks for the updates. We arrive on Sunday. Can't wait!! Hope you are having a great time!!

 

[bellebud]

thanks for sharing! hope you're able to share pics too - i'm very interested in blt! have a magical trip!!

 

[Jimtheboy]

BUGS. At night, there are bugs ALL OVER the ground level floors in the main lobby and elevator area. Its disgusting. Apparantly, the automatic doors are letting this knats/mosquittoes in, and they're dying. The floor looks normal, untiul you reallize its NOT a pattern, its just bugs.

Otherwise, nothing to report. Rain today on and off. Lounge was empty again last night. I can't see how they can keep this restricted and make money.

Bus stops are under construction as of today. They have moved the bus stop to the front of the Contemporary.

 

[bellebud]

The floor looks normal, untiul you reallize its NOT a pattern, its just bugs.

ewwwww!

and what do you mean about them not making money by keeping the lounge restricted. is the lounge the common area that the other dvc resorts have? if so, why do they need to make money on it? i'm confused (obviously)...

 

[Piglets Mommy]

ewwwww!

and what do you mean about them not making money by keeping the lounge restricted. is the lounge the common area that the other dvc resorts have? if so, why do they need to make money on it? i'm confused (obviously)...

There is a lounge (I think it's called the Top of The World Lounge) that serves drinks/snacks at the top of BLT. Many people who booked cash reservations were told when they booked tha tthey would be able to have access to it, but it has been reserved for BLT DVC owners. It has been quite the topic around here.

 

[scot@dvcstore]

Thanks for your update and keep up the postings. Enjoy your vacation.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Thanks for the update!

 

[Joy]

Thanks for posting. We will be checking into a LV studio 8/30. I am wondering if you used online check in.

 

[Jimtheboy]

I did use online check-in. For some reason, the site wasn't working (not sure if others had that problem...no link to click on), so I called, and they told me address to type in. It worked, but in the end, didn't really save me any time. There was no line when we checked in, and you couldn't request a room, so all I was able to do was provide my credit card info.


Yes, I was referring to the "Top of the World Lounge". Its a bar, but its been very much empty most nights after the fireworks.

Went to Ohana tonight....so.....much......food!

On another note, it seems most of the Magic Kingdom is under refurbishment. Tomorrowland is all walls around the Space Mountain side, etc. But I was surprised at how many of the buildings elsewhere are covered in tarps (with fake facades painted on them) Many of these shops are still open, but it looks so unattractive. I guess the positive side is that they are giving their parks the TLC they deserve.

I heard someone tell their mom today, "Oh, I found out what that American Idol thing is. They're looking for performers to work for Disney, so you can go audition to get hired". (really, you're in DHS, and you are HOLDING a park map. Why not read it. Or watch Stacy on your resort TV.)

May go back Thursday to audition myself. we'll see.

Blizzaed Beach tomorrow. (weather permitting)

 

[Joy]

Thanks for your reply about online check in.

Good luck if you decide to audition at American Idol! Let us know how you do.

 

[Jimtheboy]

They are filming something in the BLT lobby today. not sure what.


Buses stink today. We waited for a very long time to return from BLizzard. It was partly our fault. We arrived at the park and reallized we didn't have our tickets. (we have old tix with waterpark admissions left on them) So we had to take a bus to Animal K, transfer to Contemp, and then go back to Blizzard. We lost about 2 hours.

Blizzard was not terribly crowded. mostly 15 minute lines, except for summit plummet. (sp?)

The Wave for lunch was ok. I had a burger. It was fine. The desserts were different, each one is a sampler of 3 items. (We ordered 2, so we had 6 choices)

Tonight is SHOPPING downtown. oh boy.

 

[clc053103]

Thank you for your reports, very informative!

We stayed at BWV last year and the bus ride to and from blizzard beach was by far the worst- we got off at Saratoga springs to go to DTD and that was a bad move- took us forever to get there!

Happy to hear lounge not filling- maybe they will be letting the cash paying guests in by next month, I don't even want to see the fireworks, just want to get a drink!

 

[Jimtheboy]

very tired.....long day at MK and EPCOT.

We tried walk-ups at several countries, and found nothing. We ended up with an 8pm @ Tokeyo Dining. It was very good, and we had a table facing the water, so we watched Illuminations while we ate dessert.

Bed time....zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[Jimtheboy]

So, I won the 11am show today for American Idol. Onmy way back in an hour for the finale show! More Details later, if interested.

bye!

 

[jamie@dvcstore]

Hi Jimtheboy,
Thank you for the live updates and nice to hear your lakeview room has a partial MK view. That gives me great hope for December and my lakeview room. Keep posting the updates and have a great rest of the trip.
________
Infants Nexium

 

[colleen costello]

Congrats on your Idol win! How exciting. Please share details -- were you terrified or what? My family really enjoyed the show when we saw it this summer... The girl who won our slot was 16, bless her....What a personality! I was proud of her for giving it her all. I could see her doing well on the REAL Idol!